March of the Crusaders pt. 1 (HQ) (Closed)

[~ Hero Nemesis ~]

Stylas Sunstrider and his eleven companions rode slowly up the path. The icy wind bit at their uncovered skin. They were the Crusaders. Twelve in all, headed up by Scheff Statlont.

Crusaders don't live very long because of their impossible tasks they're sent on. The title is now more of a moral booster than a title anymore. The King has sent Stylas with the 11 Crusaders. He's not one of them. The life expectancy of novice Crusaders is three weeks. Strider has about 3 days. Stylas must've angered the Duke at the banquet three weeks ago, for it was on the Duke's recommendation that Stylas was sent with the Crusaders.

Their mission was to cross into the Uncharted Territories and bring back the head of Sxim Torath's head. Sxim Torath was a well known Warrior in his day. Till he turned to the Dark Arts of the Sorcerer. The Dark Paladin is now wanted by the King for treason. So powerful is he, that 12 Crusaders were sent after him.

The road is perilous, and they have a long ways to go yet. Food is running low. They still haven't even reached the Uncharted Territories.

Captain Scheff Statlont held up his fist, motioning for them to stop. "I see a sheltered cliff up ahead. We will stop there for the night."

Stylas could see why they were going to stop before it was night. A blizzard was coming. Scheff led them to a place where the cliff leaned out over, sheltering them from the driving winds. All twelve dismounted. Scheff walked over to Stylas.
"I want you to have the first watch. I'll be blunt. You're no crusader. I wouldn't have chosen you if the Duke hadn't insisted, but since your here, the first watch will do you good."

[Sunstrider]

As if he wanted to be there. He looked around. He guessed there were at lease a few other novice Crusaders. None of them could be happy. It was a suicide mission. Just like the others...

He looked back at the captain. As if being sent to his death wasn't enough, now he wasn't even one of these glorified Crusaders. He didn't say a word to him, unsheathing his sword from its place on his horse and moving to an ideal spot to start his watch. One sentry. Bah! Might as well throw stones at the enemy when it found them.

[~ Hero Nemesis ~]

Scheff had been a Crusader long enough and survived enough missions to trust his gut. There wasn't going to be an attack tonight. And he was right. After three two-hour sentry shifts, the Crusaders prepared to leave camp. The blizzard that had raged on the night before was still going, but not as heavily.

The Crusaders were able to make some headway through the snow drifts, but it was slow going. It was about midday, and they were at the top of the peak. It was no longer snowing, the sun was out, the air was thin, and the snow was a good two feet deep. Then an arrow sailed through the air. It struck the crusader in front of Strider, and he fell off his horse. The arrow had punctured his armour and pierced his heart, killing him instantly.

A cry went up among tens of Goblins as they came up from an invisible trench. The Goblins sprinted lightly across the snow towards the now-eleven crusaders, protected by a whole volley of black arrows.

"SHIELDS!" Scheff Statlont said, raising his shield. No arrows hit the crusaders, but three horses fell. The Goblins were rapidly approaching. The Crusaders all drew their weapons.


Goblin Stats
Attack: 4
Defense: 4
Agility: 4
Burst: 3
Weapon: Scimitar +3
Armour: None
HP: 15/15
MP: 10/10

[Sunstrider]

Strider dropped off his horse and onto the ground as a spear flew through the space he was in just moments before. He got up, drawing his sword and attacking the nearest Goblin.

6 atk + 3 Wpn + 1 Race bonus + 15 MP + [dice=6] = [rand=445211829151958273827120661735539821701177861542409421717049554]

[~ Hero Nemesis ~]

Total Attack = 28

The goblen swung his scimitar to parry.

4 defense + 0 armour + 10 MP + [dice=6] = 15

Resolution Phase
28 - 15 = 13 + 5 = 18

Strider
30/30
15/15

Goblin 1
-3/15
0/10
_______________________________________________

Stylas' sword cut through the Goblin's head and and it dropped dead. Two more Goblin's came around. Stylas killed the first with a swing of his sword, but the second one leapt forwards, bringing a heavy scimitar down at Sunstrider.

4 atk + 3 weapon + 10 MP + [dice=6] = 18 attack[rand=008173553406888814686566495154574235849481241443676166282226694142]

[Sunstrider]

Time sped up between enemies and slowed as he engaged them. The chilling moment of life and then sudden death brought a very human fear into his soul. He did not fear death however, nor did he fear these beasts he was sent to be slaughtered by. But the realization that he would never see home again... That this was the last face he would see, was what made his heart spasm.

The Goblin was upon him.
Putting all his faith into the sword, he raised it up to defend.

3 def + 3 Wpn + 1 race bns + 8 MP + [dice=6] = 18

Resolution Phase
18 - 18 = 0

Strider
30/30
7/30

Goblin 3
15/15
0/10


With a growl he pushed the blade back and cut low at the fiend's stomach.

6 atk + 3 wpn + 1 race + 7 MP + [dice=6] = 21
[rand=46162996248665983574340041484398169494425212482481605141124346145]

[~ Hero Nemesis ~]

The Goblin tried to raise his scimitar to block, but it was a poor weapon for defense.

4 defense + 0 armour + 0 MP + [dice=6]

Resolution Phase
21 - 9 = 12 + 5 = 17

Strider
30/30
0/30

Goblin
-2/15
0/10
_________________________________________________

The blood gushed from the goblin's stomacher as he sailed down into the snow. Another volley of arrows came. Some were poorly aimed - if aimed at all - and struck goblins down. Another crusader screamed as he fell back, two arrows protruding from his chest.

Stylas looked up and saw an arrow sailing towards him.

Roll agility to dodge the arrow. (-1) to agility due to snow hindrance.

Arrow: +1 bow +1 attack + [dice=6] = 4
[rand=72165827363727257198208220260346202081658674419088283641627488]

[Sunstrider]

He attempted to roll out of the way, though he feared he would be hit, the arrow was close and he didn't have much time to react once he saw it.

Agility Roll = (1-1) Agility + [dice=6][rand=517868795259427221714130566429898292870482533325021102167652421677]

[~ Hero Nemesis ~]

Strider rolled away just in time as the arrow sailed into the snow, leaving only its stiff black feathers visible. The battle was going in the Crusaders' favor so far, despite their losses. They were making short work of the Goblins. One more Goblin came at Strider.
"DIEEEEE!"

4 atk + 3 weapon + 4 MP + [dice=6] = 17[rand=933198387626507904950382498539651678293444482589778948007336562691]

[Sunstrider]

Maybe they would live to see another battle. Only to be killed by greater foes however.

He tried to block the strike.

3 Def + 3 wpn + 1 race + [dice=6] = 11

17 - 11 = 6 + 3 brst + 9

Strider
21/30
0/15

Goblin 4
9/15
0/10


He yelled as the blade cut deep into his side. It was but a scratch. He wasn't out yet. He let out a loud warcry, slashing then stabbing his blade straight at the monster's throat.

6 atk + 3 wpn + 1 race + [dice=6] = [rand=50293749079380812560405562313754153542008580269125945254271652585]

[~ Hero Nemesis ~]

The goblin who had already been wounded by the fallen crusader jumped nimbly back. Because of his smaller weight, he didn't sink as far down into the snow, giving him the advantage.

4 defense + 0 armour + 0 MP + [dice=6]

Resolution Phase
11 - 7 = 4 + 5 = 9

Strider
21/30
0/15

Goblin 4
0/15
0/10
____________________________________________________

4 Goblins out of the origional 20 started fleeing. The archers also started running. Scheff Statlont leapt forwards and cut on straight down with his great broadsword.

The archers gave cover fire as they ran. One unlucky Crusader - a begginner, no doubt - was struck. He fell down into the snow.

Stylas and the other 8 crusaders formed up together. "Do not pursue!" Scheff ordered.
[rand=3307228321473335744405338273723212267696779870948481423795888696]

[Sunstrider]

Stylas was eager to give chase. But he wouldn't break rank. "They show us their backsides, the cowards. Even though there are hundreds more out there." He said, more to himself than anyone else. He wondered what would become of them next. Letting them flee might bring them more trouble than persuing.

[~ Hero Nemesis ~]

Scheff looked at his remaining men. "Everyone listen up. There's a narrow gorge up ahead. We will move there. It is easier to defend." He looked over at the latest fallen warrior. "He isn't dead, someone must carry him!"

The seasoned Crusader mounted his horse. "Hurry up! The Goblins will be back when they see we don't persue!" He watched all his men mount, then nudged his horse in the ribs. They rode as fast as they dared down the other side of the mountain. Up ahead was the gorge. Suddenly a couple black arrows thudded into the snow next to them. Two more came down and hit a Crusader's horse. The horse landed on its rider, breaking his legs.

Scheff looked back, then up at the Goblins starting to come down after them. "We must leave him! To the gorge!"
He kicked his horse in the ribs and rode down faster.

[Sunstrider]

This man was dead anyway, just like the rest of them. He would only put them in danger. He left him there, mounting his horse. A few others had lost their horses in the first engagement so he scooped one up on his way to the gorge. He put his hand down into reach and hoisted the heavy knight onto the back of his horse. "Yah!" He heeled the steed and sped off towards the others.

[~ Hero Nemesis ~]

They made it into the gorge with arrows chasing them. They all dismounted and ran to the front. 7 Crusaders VS alot of Goblins. No one could tell how many there were in all, but there were alot.

The Goblins charged in. They were forced to narrow their ranks as they entered the gorge, making the number of people actually in combat more equal than they would've been otherwise.

All seven Crusaders cut down the first Goblin who attacked. From then on, they had to fight. Goblins fell, but the Crusaders were pushed back. The gorge got slightly narrower, but then a Crusader fell. 6 left.
Stylas found himself face to face with a Goblin who stabbed at him.

4 attack + 4 weapon + 1 MP + [dice=6][rand=684696406695636745311264842330288699825780110806021116347924475864]